Akeem Jahat (Singapore Musician)

Akeem Jahat (born 28 February 1989) is a Singaporean rapper, producer and songwriter residing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as of April 2020.[1][2][3] Rapping in both the English and Malay language, he has established himself as a prominent rapper in Southeast Asia.[4] As of April 2020, Akeem has over 14,317 followers and over 10,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

Akeem Jahat
Akeem Jahat Singapore.jpg
Born28 February 1989
Singapore
Years active2011 - present day

Background

Early life

Akeem began rapping at 16 years old, having been inspired by the late rapper, Biggie Smalls.[5][6] Other than hip-hop and rap music, he was also influenced by the English rock musician, Eric Clapton.[7] Growing up, he had memorised the lyrics to Tears In Heaven (1992) through his father's karaoke machine.[8] Akeem's hit single, Woodlands (2012), was a tribute to the Singaporean neighbourhood he grew up in.[9][10]

Family

Akeem’s mother was initially hesitant to support Akeem's career choice, seeing that there were only a handful of Singaporean rappers who have "made it".[11] She had a change of heart after watching his emotional performance of Pesanan Mama (2014) - a song written about her.[12]

Music career highlights

 
Akeem pictured in his interview with The Straits Times in 2018. Photo credit to Azim Azman, T Kumar.

Initially, Akeem mainly rapped in English as he was more fluent in the language as compared to Malay. After realising that many of his audience were Malaysians, he brushed up on his mother tongue to the point where he could rap fluently in Malay.[13] Besides catering to his demographic, Akeem shared that Malay words can convey different levels of expressions that are currently unexplored in hip-hop.[14][15]

Pesta Raya Malay Festival of Arts (2019) - Performer

On 29 June 2019, Akeem and his crew, The Mobbin Hoodies, performed for Pesta Raya - an Arts festival featuring the best in theatre, dance and music in Southeast Asia.[16][17] The show was a tribute to Akeem's late grandmother and an opportunity to introduce his crew to the world.[18]

Sing.Lang Concert (2019) - Performer

Akeem was invited to perform at the 2019 Sing.Lang Concert, presented by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.[19] The concert features rising Singaporean artists that have made an impression overseas.[20] Alongside notable singers like Kit Chan and Nathan Hartono, Akeem performed on 15 June 2019 at the National Stadium.[21]

Baybeats (2018) - Performer

In 2018, Akeem was one of the first local hip-hop artists to perform at the Esplanade’s Baybeats.[22] He performed on the second day of the festival, which ran from 17 August to 19 August 2018.[23]

Discography

2020

 
The cover art for Ayy Billy (2020). Photo from YouTube.
Date Released Song Duration Single/ Album Release Record Label Refs.
24 January 2020 Ayy Billy 2:06 Suke Hati Nenek Volume II: Akeemophobia Independent Release [24]

2019

Date Released Song Duration Single/ Album Release Record Label Refs.
1 August 2019 Alam Binasa 2:06 Single Release Independent Release [25]

2018

Date Released Song Duration Single/ Album Release Record Label Refs.
22 March 2018 Cosmos Hyenas 2:32 Single Release GREENDOOR STUDIO [26]

2017

 
The album art for Akeem Jahat's Hu$tle Seribu Daya (2017).
Date Released Song Duration Album Record Label Refs.
10 October 2017 040217 (Live) 1:46 Hu$le Seribu Daya Greendoor Studios [27]
Level 22 (Live) 3:26
Ribena (Live) 3:30
Woodlands (Live) 4:45
Harley Quin (Live) 4:17
Gua Luv Minahs (Live) 4:04
Nora Danish (Live) 2:14
Pesanan Mama (Live) 4:20
Sua (Live) 4:29
Duit Rokok (Live) 5:43
Hustle Seribu Daya 3:16

2016

Date Released Song Duration Single/ Album Release Record Label Refs.
10 October 2016 Risau 4:28 Single Greendoor Publishing [28]
10 June 2016 Bu$a 3:20 Single [29]
10 January 2016 $ua 3:46 Single Greendoor Studios [30]
2016 6 God Freestyle 2:12 Single Independent Release [31]

2014

File:SeluDOPE Mixtape.jpg
The album art for Akeem Jahat's SeluDOPE Mistape (2014).
Date Released Song Duration Album Record Label Refs.
29 March 2014 SeluDOPE 2:04 SeluDOPE Mixtape Independent Release [32]
Barang Baik 3:45
L.K.Y 3:02
Wooligans 1:08
Berita Hairan Satu 1:27
Pesanan Mama 4:15
MDBKF 2:48
Duit Rokok 3:47
Berita Hairan Dua 1:38
Sundalrella 3:18
Basi 3:36
Gua Love Minahs 2:51
Nora Danish 3:26
Lvl 22s 2:00
Ribena (Ft SonaOne) 3:55
Remote Kontrol 1:52
Lain City 1:58
Harley Quinn 4:15
Berita Hairan Tiga 1:38
Diam 3:21

2013

Date Released Song Duration Single/ Album Release Record Label Refs.
25 February 2013 SeluDOPE 2:06 Single Independent Release [33]

2012

 
Akeem designed the album art (pictured) for Suke Hati Nenek Volume I (2012). Photo from Instagram.
Date Released Song Duration Single/ Album Release Record Label Refs.
2012 A ta tha Montana 2:07 Single Release Independent Release [34]
Sandiwara 1:52 Single Release Independent Release [35]
Jangan Merajok 2:42 Suke Hati Nenek Volume I: Akeemotherapy Independent Release [36]
Flow Fam 3:13 Independent Release [37]
Woodlands 3:24 Independent Release [38]
Hang Jahat 3:12 Independent Release [39]

2011

Date Released Song Duration Single/ Album Release Record Label Refs.
2011 O lets do it 2:38 Suke Hati Nenek Volume I: Akeemotherapy Independent Release [40]
Perjuang 1:33 SeluDOPE Independent Release [41]
Pain 1:44 Suke Hati Nenek Volume I: Akeemotherapy Independent Release [42]

Music collaborations

 
The album art for NA$TY (2016).
Year Project Artist(s) Refs.
2020 Money Power Respect Freestyle The Mobbin Hoodies (Benny Hoodie) Video
Look At Me Freestyle AE$OP CA$H Video
2019 Weirdlands The Mobbin Hoodies (Billy Hoodie) Video
RNP Freestyle THELIONCITYBOY Video
Halimah THELIONCITYBOY Video
Way Of Life Freestyle The Mobbin Hoodies (Papi Hoodie, Benny Hoodie and Billy Hoodie) Video
Caterpillars Freestyle The Mobbin Hoodies (Papi Hoodie and Billy Hoodie) Video
Beban The Mobbin Hoodies (Billy Hoodie) Video
2018 Bukan Senang Pak Din Video
2017 Plastic Hearts Disco Hue Video
2016 NA$TY Nasty Juice Video
2014 Lion City Kia ShiGGa Shay and LINEATH Video

References / Citations

  1. Eddino Abdul Hadi. “ST Sessions: Rapper Akeem Jahat takes pride in the wonder of Woodlands”. The Straits Times. August 30, 2018. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  2. Bandwagon TV. “An interview with Akeem Jahat on Singapore music, his inspirations, his artistic philosophy and more”. YouTube. February 19, 2018. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  3. Soi Music TV. “Akeem Jahat - Singapore | "Woodlands" (Soi Rap)”. YouTube. February 8, 2016. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  4. Indran Paramasivam. “"Hip-hop is such an intelligent tool to use" : An interview with Akeem Jahat”. Bandwagon. June 28, 2019. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  5. Bandwagon TV. “An interview with Akeem Jahat on Singapore music, his inspirations, his artistic philosophy and more”. YouTube. February 19, 2018. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  6. Indran Paramasivam. “"Hip-hop is such an intelligent tool to use" : An interview with Akeem Jahat”. Bandwagon. June 28, 2019. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  7. The Straits Times. “ST Sessions: Akeem Jahat”. YouTube. August 29, 2018. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  8. Eddino Abdul Hadi. “ST Sessions: Rapper Akeem Jahat takes pride in the wonder of Woodlands”. The Straits Times. August 30, 2018. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  9. Galicia, Deanne. “Rap star proud to sing about Woodlands”. the A LIST. June 25, 2019. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  10. Video” Cult Rapper Akeem Jahat Raps A Verse From His Tribute To His Woodlands Hometown”. Coconuts Singapore. February 25, 2016. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  11. Bandwagon TV. “An interview with Akeem Jahat on Singapore music, his inspirations, his artistic philosophy and more”. YouTube. February 19, 2018. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  12. Bandwagon TV. “An interview with Akeem Jahat on Singapore music, his inspirations, his artistic philosophy and more”. YouTube. February 19, 2018. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  13. Cam Khalid. “The hottest rappers and hip-hop artists in Singapore right now”. TimeOut. October 26, 2018. Accessed on 14 April 2020.
  14. Indran Paramasivam. “"Hip-hop is such an intelligent tool to use" : An interview with Akeem Jahat”. Bandwagon. June 28, 2019. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  15. Bandwagon TV. “An interview with Akeem Jahat on Singapore music, his inspirations, his artistic philosophy and more”. YouTube. February 19, 2018. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  16. Indran Paramasivam. “"Hip-hop is such an intelligent tool to use" : An interview with Akeem Jahat”. Bandwagon. June 28, 2019. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  17. Akeem Jahat & The Mobbin Hoodies”. Esplanade. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  18. Indran Paramasivam. “"Hip-hop is such an intelligent tool to use" : An interview with Akeem Jahat”. Bandwagon. June 28, 2019. Accessed on 9 April 2020.
  19. Sing Lang Concert 2019”. SCCC. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  20. SCCC. “15 June, 2019”. Media Room. 2019. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  21. SCCC. “15 June, 2019”. Media Room. 2019. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  22. Eddino Abdul Hadi. “ST Sessions: Rapper Akeem Jahat takes pride in the wonder of Woodlands”. The Straits Times. August 30, 2018. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  23. "Akeem Jahat". Esplanade. Accessed on 15 April 2020.
  24. AkeemJahat. “AKEEM JAHAT - AYY BILLY (prod.RAJESHKUMARTHEGOD)”. YouTube. January 24, 2020. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  25. AkeemJahat. “Akeem Jahat - Alam Binasa”.YouTube. August 1, 2019. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  26. Akeem Jahat. Spotify. Accessed on 13 April 2020. Retrieved from: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5SHYzihs8WKAP0qxcCgtDl
  27. Akeem Jahat. Spotify. Accessed on 13 April 2020. Retrieved from: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5SHYzihs8WKAP0qxcCgtDl
  28. Akeem Jahat. Spotify. Accessed on 13 April 2020. Retrieved from: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5SHYzihs8WKAP0qxcCgtDl
  29. Akeem Jahat. Spotify. Accessed on 13 April 2020. Retrieved from: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5SHYzihs8WKAP0qxcCgtDl
  30. Akeem Jahat. Spotify. Accessed on 13 April 2020. Retrieved from: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5SHYzihs8WKAP0qxcCgtDl
  31. Akeem Jahat. “6 God Freestyle”. SoundCloud. 2016. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  32. AkeemJahat. “Akeem Jahat - SeluDOPE Full Mixtape 2014 CDQ”. YouTube. March 29, 2014. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  33. AkeemJahat. “Akeem Jahat - SeluDOPE”.YouTube. February 25, 2013. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  34. Akeem Jahat. “A ta tha Montana”. SoundCloud. 2012. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  35. Akeem Jahat. “Sandiwara”. SoundCloud. 2012. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  36. Akeem Jahat. “Jangan Merajok”. SoundCloud. 2012. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  37. Akeem Jahat. “Akeem - Flow Fam”. SoundCloud. 2012. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  38. Akeem Jahat. “Woodlands”. SoundCloud. 2012. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  39. Akeem Jahat. “Hang Jahat”. SoundCloud. 2012. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  40. Akeem Jahat. “O lets do it”. SoundCloud. 2011. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  41. Akeem Jahat. “Perjuang”. SoundCloud. 2011. Accessed on 13 April 2020.
  42. Akeem Jahat. “Pain”. SoundCloud. 2011. Accessed on 13 April 2020.